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VG+/None. First and only autographed edition, the only 2 books in Mifflin's 22 volume autographed set limited to 500 numbered sets that Alice Barber Stephens signed or contributed illustrations, this being volumes 9 and 10 from set number 159. Publishers original smooth white woven cloth with paper label on spine with author's name, title and 'autographed edition' printed in black inside box borders printed in red. Contains a photogravure frontispiece, vignette title, and 4 additional B&W plates by Stephens in each volume (thus 2 Stephens signatures), all on India paper mounted, with each frontispiece signed in pencil by Stephens. Descriptive tissue guards for all illustrations, and a printed limitation page behind the half title of each book indicating they are both from copy #159 of only 500 sets.This family authorized set of Hawthorne's was issued by Houghton Mifflin in 1900 in 3 versions - an 'autographed' set limited to 500 copies, a 'large paper' set limited to 500 copies, and an 'Old Manse' smaller sized trade edition. The autographed edition is by far the most desireable because it was signed not only by Hawthorne's daughter Rose Hawthorne Lathrop (in Volume 1), but each of the 22 volumes has their frontispiece hand signed in pencil by the artist. In all, 21 different artist's signatures are to be found in this veritable treasure trove of golden age illustrators and artists that include Childe Hassam, Howard Pyle, Jessie Willcox Smith, Edmund Garrett, Anna Whelan Betts, Sarah Stillwell, Eric Pape, E C Peixotto, Alice Barber Stephens (the only artist with signed frontispieces in 2 volumes), and numerous others. Leatherbound sets of the autographed edition can be found on the internet priced from $3,500 to $12,500, making it financially difficult for the collector of any individual artist to secure a copy of their scarce autograph.The 2 volumes offered here are volumes #9 and #10 in the Hawthorne set - the only 2 volumes for which Stephens contributed illustrations and the only 2 volumes of the set which she signed. The frontispieces are one of the few limited edition volumes ever signed by Stephens, and is far less common to find as a single volume because they are usually part of the 22 volume set - if one is only interested in Stephen's work one therefore need not acquire any other of the remaining 20 volumes to have all of her contributions to the set. The 2 Stephens' volumes are also being offered here togather - the only other copy offered on the internet is a single signed volume, which is far less incomplete both in terms of the Hawthorne work as well as having Stephens' complete contributions to the set. While the large paper limited edition is the same size as this volume, it must be considered much the less desireable because it lacks Stephen's signature. Truly a scarce and highly collectible book, in quite collectable condition, that belongs in every serious Stephens collector's library. TO SEE MORE PICTURES AND ADDITIONAL SPECIAL ITEMS, VISIT OUR BOOKSELLER's HOMEPAGE. Seller Inventory # 00751
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